RAQ Radio drains batteries after one week sitting

[glenncooper]

My truck is a tow vehicle, so it doesn't get much use in the winter months. I've noticed my batteries have frequently gone completely flat is the truck is left alone for a whole week (unlocked even, so the alarm isn't even drawing current). What cured my problem is removing Fuse 36 - audio amp. Now the batteries do not discharge if the truck is not used. The truck has the RAQ six disk factory radio - infinity audio. Has anyone else found this? I want to keep the radio, what I'm considering is putting in a switch in that would cut the power to the radio when I turn the switch off. Funny thing, with the fuse pulled, the radio display still works and the clock still keeps time, it just doesn't have any sound. Makes sense if the audio amp fuse is pulled.



Any thoughts or suggestions on anything else to try would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Glenn

 

[HBarlow]

It would be a lot simpler and better for the batteries if you just purchase and install a basic battery trickle charger. Connect it to one of the batteries and plug it in and forget it. It will keep your batteries charged and preserve their life.

I buy them from the Communist Chinese tool store for $7 or $8 and have half a dozen of them in my barn in use during winter months.

 

[jgillott]

I agree on the trickle charger. I have a Corvette that has drained the battery while sitting since the day I purchased it. It doesn't drain quite as fast as what your truck is doing, but annoying none the less. That car sits sometimes weeks at a time and the trickle charger does a great job of keeping the battery ready to go.



With that said, if your truck would happen to still be under warranty, that's the type of problem that I would definitely be complaining about.

 

[sag2]

It is the amp staying awake, not the radio. Somewhat common condition for a couple of years. They are a PIA to change, so I would vote for a switch or the trickle chargers. In the end, the chargers are a much better investment and will do your batteries good over the long haul. Non deep cycle batteries do not like repeated discharges.

 

[glenncooper]

Two things - the current draw draws a steady 2. 8 amps then drops momentarily for about 10 seconds to . 6 amps then jumps back to 3. 1 and settles at 2. 8. Most trickle chargers I've seen don't provide 3 amps steady, it is less than that.



The other thing is the amp separate from the actual radio? If so, does anyone know where it is located in the truck?, I've wondered if I could just change the amp and leave the radio installed?



Thanks for the input,

Glenn

 

[Prairie Dog]

You could install a relay that cuts power to the amp when ever the ign. is off.

 

[sag2]

The amp is above and to the left of the glove box. It is held in by three bolts, one of which is a real pain to get to.

 

[rscurtis]

X2 on that comment. That was the hardest part of doing the recirc door on my '03, getting that third bolt removed- and then re-installing it. It would appear the amplifier is fixed to the dash before it's installed in the vehicle.

 

[glenncooper]

Is there a way to drop the glove box and just disconnect the electrical connector? That way I can install a relay that would only energize when the truck is running and will kill power when the truck is sitting.



The amp sells for about $150 and I would rather keep it installed as a relay is much cheaper and by the sounds of it, a bit of a b*tch to replace.



Thanks for the input,

Glenn

 

[JBallou]

I have a RBQ amp in the garage, the truck has the infinity sound set up. I will check the part # on it for ya if interested. Im willing to part with it. Maybe one of the parts guru's can check if there is an interchange.

 

[glenncooper]

Thanks for the input and offers. Here's the plan, I've located the amp, above the glove box but even with the center instrument panel removed and the radio out it is near impossible to remove that third screw! So, I've cut the wire near the main wire feed connector coming into the truck (C219 - Pin 49) and put in a switch in the circuit. Now with the truck sitting the switch on the amp is drawing over two amps, with the switch off the battery draw is less than 0. 1 amps about 60-110 milliamps. Crazy.



I don't know how many techies are out there, as the amp is "turned on" by the input from the can bus B. I still don't know if the amp itself is at fault or something in the vehicle is telling the amp to turn on and the amp itself is fine.



Anyone care to shed some light on that one?



Thanks again for the help, this is what makes TDR great! Glenn